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Republicans and gun owners’ rights groups accused Democratic leaders of ignoring a state law requiring public hearings on citizen-initiated bills.
AUGUSTA, Maine — Democrats in the Maine Legislature have reversed course and will hold a public hearing on a citizen-initiated “red flag” gun law proposal this week, following sustained pressure from Senate Republicans and gun rights advocates who argued the hearing was required by law.
The Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on the issue at 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 11. The proposal, which will appear on the November ballot — unless the Legislature passes it unchanged — would allow family members to seek a court order to temporarily remove firearms from someone deemed a threat to themselves or others, according to a release from the Senate Republican Office.
The dispute centers on differing interpretations of state law. Republicans and gun owners’ rights groups accused Democratic leaders of ignoring a state law requiring public hearings on citizen-initiated bills. The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, the National Rifle Association, and Gun Owners of Maine threatened legal action to force a hearing.
“I’m relieved that my Democrat colleagues finally realized they could not get away with silencing the voices of Maine citizens to limit criticism of this radical gun-control proposal,” Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart, R-Aroostook, said in a statement. “Even the most rabid gun-control activists realized that breaking the law to silence their opposition was not an acceptable way to move their agenda forward.”
“The ‘red flag’ bill isn’t a referendum to change the state flag. It is a proposal that infringes on one of our most protected rights,” Assistant Senate Republican Leader Matt Harrington, R-York, added.
Earlier this month, Democrats initially argued a public hearing was not required, stating the Maine Constitution does not mandate such hearings for ballot initiatives. Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Anne Carney previously said, “Voters really are the best public hearing forum.” However, after continued pressure and threats of legal action, Democrats have agreed to hold the hearing that Republicans demanded.
Opposition to the proposed “red flag” law is expected from both law enforcement and Second Amendment advocates. The hearing will provide a forum for public input before the measure likely heads to the November ballot.
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